Ahead of a big push by Todt to try to implement much-needed cost controls in F1, with spending having accelerated at the front of the grid, he has asked the sport's smaller outfits to come up with suggestions.

That is because he is hugely unimpressed with a three-year plan that has been proposed by leading teams, which includes a tyre warmer ban, the return of active suspension and more standard parts.

"What was proposed? It was a joke," said Todt, during a visit to the Spanish Grand Prix.

Todt believes that rather than a gradual cut back on spending, F1 is in need of something more radical to ensure the long-term survival of the grid.

"We know the budgets are between $100 million and $400 million," he said.

"The proposals that they seem happy with are to reduce budgets by $2 million, which is ridiculous.

"When we speak about costs we must speak about reducing it by 30-40 per cent. Then we can feel comfortable.

"So what can we do? I have some ideas. I gave some input, and I want to see what the teams say.

"We will meet with all the people and hopefully they are sensible people and they come with some sensible suggestions."

Todt thinks that one of the main issues is that teams have grown too big, and that staffing numbers expanding above 800 people are not sustainable.

"What costs money is headcounts," he said. "They are big.

"When we speak to ban two days of testing, it is ridiculous because it costs nothing on the overall budget."

Ericsson wants to be in more competitive carSauber driver Marcus Ericsson wants a more competitive Formula 1 car to showcase his talents "as soon as possible" as his future in the championship beyond this season remains unresolved1502900899F1

How to solve F1's overtaking problemHow can the racing be improved? Would a windtunnel ban make for more interesting designs? What parts can F1 standardise? And which direction should F1 take for its next engine formula? These questions, and more, are answered this week1502841600F1

Why F1 needs more junior works teamsFerrari may tie up with Sauber, Red Bull has Toro Rosso, and Mercedes flirts with junior-driver deployment through customer teams. Embracing a more organised series of alliances would help F1 blood the best young talent much more effectively1502755200F1

What Bottas is lacking compared to HamiltonDespite his attempts to play down his first half-season with Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas has settled in well - but while he's been capable of matching and beating team-mate Lewis Hamilton, there's one key area where the Finn finds himself behind1502755200F1

Please note that unauthorised reproduction or translation of any content (including words, data, information, photos, videos and any other intellectual property) published on this page and any other copyrighted content published on Autosport.com is strictly prohibited. Please see our terms and conditions for further information.